Inclined collapsible ladder



Aug. 2, 1966 w. J. SALLEIN INCLINED COLLAPSIBLE LADDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed April 15, 1964 INVENTOR.

Werner J. 'Sallein Attorney Aug. 2, 1966 W. J. SALLEIN INGLINEDCOLLAPSIBLE LADDER Sheets-$heet 2 Filed April 15, 1964 INVENTOR.

Werner J. Sal/ein ,9 O1, )4; Attorney Aug. 2,

Filed April 13, 1964 1966 w. J. SALLEIN 3,263,773

INCLINED COLLAPSIBLE LADDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. F i g. 9 WernerJ. Sallem Attorney United States Patent 3,263,773 INCLINED COLLAPSIBLELADDER Werner J. Sallein, 1350 Natoma St., San Francisco, Calif. FiledApr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,234 2 Claims. (Cl. 182158) This inventionrelates generally to collapsible ladders, and more particularly isdirected to a collapsible ladder of the type mounted on a balcony foruse as a fire escape.

One object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible ladderutilizing lazy tongs construction which is expandable at an incline toafford ready and safe descent thereon and which is easily raised to acollapsed position for compact unobstructing storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ladder of thetype described having planar tread members which are pivotally mountedfor collapsing with the ladder and having handrails extending the fulllength of the ladder which are also collapsible into compact form whenthe ladder is in its raised position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a ladder of thetype described which is readily installed on a fire escape balconywithout need for complex connections to the building walls or balcony.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide acollapsible ladder of the type described which is inexpensive tomanufacture, which is durable and strong enough to hold several personsat one time, and which can be quickly and easily operated to move intoeither raised or lowered position.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich of the foregoing will be set forth in the following description ofthe preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of this specification. It is to beunderstood however, that variations in the showing made by the saiddrawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings (three sheets):

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a collapsible ladderembodying the present invention and shown in its expanded loweredposition.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation view of a ladder similar to the one shownin FIGURE 1 in its lowered position.

FIGURE 3 is a partially cross sectioned side elevation view of theladder in FIGURE 2, taken along the line 3-3 as shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation View of the ladder in FIGURES 2 and 3, butshown in its raised collapsed position.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line *55 as shown inFIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a partially cross sectioned front elevation view, withportions broken away, taken along the line 6-6 as shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a partially cross sectional front elevation view taken alongthe line 77 as shown in FIG- URE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 8-8 as shown inFIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary front elevation view taken along the line 9-9as shown in FIGURE 4.

There is shown in the drawings an inclined collapsible ladder 11embodying the present invention and comprising a pair of spaced parallelchannel members 12 and 13 each inclined at an angle from vertical, apair of expandable lazy tongs 14 and 16 mounted on the channel members12 and 13 and connected together by a plurality of spaced rods 17 whichform the central pivot connections 18 for each lazy tongs. The rods 17have their end portions guided in the channel members 12 and 13 forcontrolling the expansion of the lazy tongs to a direction 3 ,263,773-Patented August 2, 1966 generally parallel to the angle of the channelmembers. A plurality of spaced generally planar tread members 19 extendtransversely between the lazy tongs 14 and 16 and are movable therewith.Stop means are provided for limiting the extent to which the lazy tongscan be expanded for positioning the tread members 19 generallyhorizontally when the lazy tongs are fully extended. At least onehandrail 21 is pivotally mounted on one of the lazy tongs forpositioning generally parallel to the channel members 12 and 13,regardless of the extent to which the lazy tongs are expanded.

In more detail now, the lazy tongs 14 and 16 are of generallyconventional construction, and each includes a first plurality ofparallel links 22 pivotally connected with a second plurality ofparallel links 23. As noted, the rods 17 form the central pivotconnections 18 between corresponding pairs of links 22 and 23, Whilestub shafts 24, as depicted in FIGURES 6 and 7, form the pivotalconnections between the ends of the links 22 and 23. In a preferred formof the invention, a support frame 26, having a pair of spaced generallytriangular members 27 and 28, is pivoted for mounting securely on abalcony 29 or other similar structure disposed above a ground surface 31or the like. The channel members 12 and 13 have bracket portions 32 asbest shown in FIGURE 5, whereby the channel members are removablysecured to the frame members 27 and 28 by means of bolts 33 or the like.

The uppermost rod 17, denoted by the numeral 17a, is securedtransversely between the upper end portions of the channel members, thusanchoring the lazy tongs to the frame 26. A plurality of next uppermostrods 17, which as shown include three rods denoted 17b, have their endportions extending transversely through longitudinal slots 34 providedin the upper portions of the channel members. The lowermost rod 17b isengageable with the lower end wall of the slots 34 to provide theaforesaid means for limiting the extent of downward movement of the lazytongs. The remainder of the rods 17, denoted 170, are slightly shorterthan the rods 17b and are all slidable in the inner longitudinalrecesses defined by the channel members 12 and 13 for constraining theangle of inclination of the ladder to that of the channel members. Anarcuate flange portion 35 is provided adjacent the lower end of eachchannel member to guide the rods 17 into the channels when the ladder israised.

The preferred form of connection between the links 22 and 23 and therods 17 is depicted in FIGURE 5, wherein the rod 17 is seen to extendtransversely through central holes in the links. A washer 36 isinterposed between the links 22 and 23, and washers 37 and 38 arerespectively positioned on the other sides of each of the links.Resilient snap rings 39 and 41 are secured in circular grooves providedon the rod 17 outwardly adjacent the washers 37 and 38 for restrainingthe links 22 and 23 against axial movement on the rod 17. For the rod17b as depicted in FIGURE 5, at least one washer 42 is disposedoutwardly adjacent the channel member 13, with a snap ring 43 positionedadjacent the washer 42, for guiding the rod 17b in its movement in theslot 34. Similar central pivot connections as that shown in FIGURE 5,are provided for all the links.

As regards the tread members 19, these members are seen to be ofgenerally U-shaped cross section having a depending forward edge 44 anda depending rearward edge 46, as best shown in FIGURE 6. The forwardportion of each tread member is supported on one of the rods 17, and apair of stub shafts 47 are rigidly secured as by welding to the loweredge of the corresponding links 23 of each lazy tongs for supporting therearward portion of each tread member. A pair of strap members 48 aresecured between the bottoms of the edges 44 and 46 adjacent each end ofthe tread members to retain them on the rods 17 and stub shafts 47, asbest shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. It will be appreciated that the treadmembers 19 as thus mounted will remain parallel as the lazy tongs areexpanded or collapsed, and that the angular position of the treadmembers is dependent on the extent of expansion of the lazy tongs. Inthe embodiment of the ladder as illustrated, the slots 34 and lowermostrod 17b coact so that when the lazy tongs are fully expanded, as limitedby the lower end wall of the slots 34, the upper surfaces of the treadmembers 19, are disposed in a generally horizontal position. Preferably,as depicted in FIG- URE 6, the treads are slightly inclined into theladder to assure safe footing on the treads.

An important feature of the instant ladder relates to the aforementionedhandrail 21, which is disposed parallel to the channels 12 and 13 and iscollapsible with the lazy tongs as the ladder is raised. The handrail 21is mounted on the lazy tongs 14 on two of the links22 thereof, whichhave extension portions 22a and 22b as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 6.Brackets 49 and 51 are respectively pivotally mounted on the linkextensions 22a and 22b, with the lower end portion of the rail 21 beingrigidly secured to the lower bracket 49. A tubular guide member 52 formsa portion of the upper bracket 51, with the rail 21 being slidablethrough the member 52 as the lazy tongs are expanded or collapsed. Thus,with the ladder collapsed as shown in FIGURE 4, the member 52 isdisposed adjacent the lower end of the rail 21, while the member 52 isdisposed adjacent the upper end of the rail 21 when the ladder islowered as in FIGURE 3.

' In order to provide handrails along the full length of the ladder 11,it is preferable that additional handrails 21a and 21b are provided onthe lazy tongs, and are collapsi ble therewith. In this regard,additional brackets 53 and 54 are respectively pivotally mounted on linkextensions 22c and 22d, as indicated in FIGURE 3. The rail 21a issecured rigidly to the bracket 51, and is slidably disposed through aguide member 56 mounted on the bracket 53. Similarly, the rail 21b issecured to the bracket 53, and is slidable through a guide member 57secured to the bracket 54. As shown, the rails are positioned forrelative longitudinal movement in overlying relation to one another.Preferably, the three rails 21, 21a and 21b are provided only on thelazy tongs 16, while only the lower two rails 21 and 21a are provided onthe other lazy itongs 14 in order that free access be afforded to theladder from the balcony 29. A hand grip 58 may be secured to the channelmember 12 adjacent the lazy tongs 14 to assist those mounting the top ofthe ladder.

To enable raising the ladder into its collapsed storage position, awinch 59 is secured to the frame 26, and includes a crank handle 61. Acable 62 is wound on to a reel 63 of the winch, and is connected to oneof the lower tread members 19 by means of an eye 64, as shown in FIGURE6. A release lever 66 is provided for releasing the winch to lower theladder under its own weight, and preferably, the handle 61 is adapted tobe automatically disengaged from the reel 63 by means of a conventional.throwout device 67, as shown in FIGURE 9, so that rotation of thehandle 61 does not endanger persons closely situated.

In operating the instant ladder, when the winch is released by means ofthe lever 66 the lazy tongs commence to expand under the force ofgravity. The rods 17 are guided in the channel members 12 and 13 so thatthe angle of descent of the ladder is constrained to a directionparallel to the channel members. When the lowermost rod 17b comes intoengagement with the lower end wall of the slots 34 the lazy tongs arerestricted against further expansion, and in this position the treadmembers 19 are substantially horizontally disposed. By utilizing thecorrect number of links 22 and 23 the length of the ladder will conformto the height between the balcony 29 and ground surface 31. In order toraise 4 the ladder, the winch handle 61 is operated to wind the cable 62onto the reel 63, thus collapsing the lazy tongs upwardly. As the ladderis raised off of the ground, there is some tendency to flex toward avertical position. Consequently, the arcuate flange 35 engage the rods17c as they are moved upwardly and guides them into the channel members12 and 13.

With regard to the ease and simplicity of mounting the instant ladder onthe balcony 29, there is provided a U-shaped support brace .68 securedbetween the lower end portions of the channel members 12 and 13. Thismember enables the lazy tongs, channel members, and handrails to beassembled as a separate unit prior to mounting on the balcony. At thetime the building is being constructed, or when desired, the relativelysimple support frame 26 is secured by itself to the balcony, by Welding,bolts, or other suitable means. Then, after the support frame is inplace, the unit consisting of the channel members, lazy tongs, etc., canbe readily secured to the frame by means of the brackets 32 and bolts 33as described here-inabove. Thus, there is eliminated the problem ofhaving to secure the whole ladder and support frame at the same time tothe balcony.

I claim:

1. A collapsible ladder comprising, a support, a pair of spaced parallelextendible lazy tongs mounted on said support each including a firstplurality of parallel links pivotally connected with a second pluralityof parallel links and a plurality of spaced rods extending transverselybetween said two lazy tongs to form the pivot connections between saidlinks thereof, a plurality of generally planar tread members extendingtransversely between said two lazy tongs and being formed with elongatedunderlying slots receiving said rods adjacent the forward portions ofsaid threads a plurality of stub shafts one secured to each link of oneset of said plurality of links and extending into said slots andpositioned to engage and support the rearward portions of said treadmembers, said tread members being mounted on said lazy tongs forgenerally horizontally positioning when said lazy tongs are fullyexpanded.

2. An inclined collapsible ladder comprising, a support frame adaptedfor mounting in upwardly spaced relation to a ground surface, a pair ofspaced parallel generally elongated channel members secured to saidframe and having longitudinally extending confronting channel recesses,said channel members being disposed in generally vertical planes andinclined at an angle from vertical, said channel members each having alongitudinally extending slot disposed adjacent the upper end thereof,said channel recesses being opened at the lower ends thereof withdownwardly turned arcuate flanges being provided on said channel membersadjacent said lower ends, a pair of spaced parallel expandable lazytongs mounted on said frame each including a first plurality of parallellinks pivotally connected with a second plurality of parallel links anda plurality of spaced rods extending transversely between said two lazytongs to form the central pivot connections between said links thereof,an upper one of said rods being secured to said frame adjacent the upperends of said channel members, a plurality of the next uppermost rodsextending laterally outwardly of said lazy tongs and transverselythrough said slots for longitudinal movement therein, the remainder ofsaid rods being shorter than the latter plurality of rods and havingtheir end portions slidably guided in said channel recesses forlongitudinal movement therein, the lowermost one of said rods thatextend through said slots being engageable with the lower ends of saidslots to limit the downwardly extending movement of said lazy tongs, afirst generally elongated handrail mounted on first and second ones ofsaid first plurality of links and being positioned generally parallel tosaid channel members, said first handrail being pivotally secured tosaid first and second links and being mounted for longitudinallyslidable movement in relation to said second link, a second generallyelongated handrail being mounted on said second link and a third link ofsaid first plurality of links and being positioned in generally parallelto said first handrail but longitudinally displaced in relation thereto,said second handrail being pivotally mounted on said second and thirdlinks and being longitudinally slidable in relation to said third link,said third link being positioned upwardly relative to said second linksand said second link being positioned upwardly to said first link, saidfirst and second handrails being positioned for generally longitudinalrelative movement in overlying relation to one another, a plurality ofgenerally planar tread members extending transversely between said twolazy tongs and being formed with elongated underlying slots receivingsaid rods adjacent the forward portions of said treads, and a pluralityof stub shafts secured respectively to corresponding ones of said secondplurality of links and extending into said slots adjacent the rearwardportions thereof, said tread members being mounted on said lazy tongsfor generally horizontal positioning when said lazy tongs are fullyexpanded.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS REINALDO P.MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE LADDER COMPRISING, A SUPPORT, A PAIR OF SPACED PARALLELEXTENDIBLE LAZY TONGS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT EACH INCLUDING A FIRSTPLURALITY OF PARALLEL LINKS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED WITH A SECOND PLURALITYOF PARALLEL LINKS AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED RODS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELYBETWEEN SAID TWO LAZY TONGS TO FORM THE PIVOT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SAIDLINKS THEREOF, A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY PLANAR TREAD MEMBERS EXTENDINGTRANSVERSELY BETWEEN SAID TWO LAZY TONGS AND BEING FORMED WITH ELONGATEDUNDERLYING SLOTS RECEIVING SAID RODS ADJACENT THE FORWARD PORTIONS OFSAID THREADS A PLURALITY OF STUB SHAFTS ONE SECURED TO EACH LINK OF ONESET OF SAID PLURALITY OF LINKS AND EXTENDING INTO SAID SLOTS ANDPOSITIONED TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT THE REARWARD PORTIONS OF SAID TREADMEMBERS, SAID TREAD MEMBERS BEING MOUNTED ON SAID LAZY TONGS FORGENERALLY HORIZONTALLY POSITIONING WHEN SAID LAZY TONGS ARE FULLYEXPANDED.